Investor · Lucas, TX · Member since 2010 · 620 posts · 352 votes
I should probably just file this rant with Captain Obvious.
In this current environment, getting any sort of contractor is hard to say the least. I don't know if its the booming house prices and everyone fixing up or government handouts acting as a disincentive to work.
Just to name a few examples that come to mine. Two of my tile guys are both booked out for two months. My handyman quit. My lawn service quit. My landscaping guy is booked out for a month. Countertop installer is quad booked all month. On top of that actually getting materials is like pulling teeth. Ordering flooring, I'm being told to order 30 days out. Windows are 6 weeks out. Just like the rest of the economy, a lot of things are out of stock or backordered. It's frustrating what is already a pretty high stress activity.
Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2020 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
5y
@Robert Steele, generally the same. Granted, we just finished our now 11mo rehab, that was supposed to be 6-8months. The delays were many of the same. Good contractors do show up and finish the job, but are slower because they are unable to get employees, and you have to pay for them.
Regarding appliances, I had to personally drive 5 hours to get the refrigerator my wife wanted, and our range only made it thank to my wife's social media presence and one of her followers from across the country helping us by ordering it (it was only available for local delivery) and repackaging it for Fedex freight across the US. Granted, this rehab is our house, so we went a little further than we would for a flip.
But to summarize the same things: first major delay was windows taking 8+ weeks over the buffered estimate. Contractors are short handed and overbooked. Many have raised their prices accordingly, which then creates additional pressure on the budgets.
Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2020 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
5y
@Robert Steele, generally the same. Granted, we just finished our now 11mo rehab, that was supposed to be 6-8months. The delays were many of the same. Good contractors do show up and finish the job, but are slower because they are unable to get employees, and you have to pay for them.
Regarding appliances, I had to personally drive 5 hours to get the refrigerator my wife wanted, and our range only made it thank to my wife's social media presence and one of her followers from across the country helping us by ordering it (it was only available for local delivery) and repackaging it for Fedex freight across the US. Granted, this rehab is our house, so we went a little further than we would for a flip.
But to summarize the same things: first major delay was windows taking 8+ weeks over the buffered estimate. Contractors are short handed and overbooked. Many have raised their prices accordingly, which then creates additional pressure on the budgets.
Deland, FL · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
5y
Fortunately through YouTube has taught myselfI’ve taught myself how to do all of the above so when I have people quitter they can’t do it I jump in do it myself as far as materials the same here I just make sure I order two months ahead of time
Investor · Durham, NC · Member since 2020 · 1k+ posts · 691 votes
5y
@Robert Steele I'd encourage you to attend a local real estate meet up in your market. There, you can network with other real estate investors and ask them which contractors they use. Hopefully, they'll refer you to a good one. Word of mouth referrals will be better than looking online (in my opinion).
Investor · Lucas, TX · Member since 2010 · 620 posts · 352 votes
5y
@Jeffrey Donis Yes, I agree. Word of mouth is better. Unfortunately investors in my network are having the same problem. And those that don't, I think are jealously guarding their contractors. ;)